UBC Line Key to Increased Transit Ridership and Campus Sustainability

Dec 11, 2008

The University of British Columbia welcomes plans announced today by the provincial government for a rapid transit line to its Vancouver campus.

The second largest transit destination in the region, UBC has increased transit ridership from 19,000 trips a day in 2003 to more than 50,000 trips a day today through the introduction of the U-Pass, improved cycling facilities and a 33 per cent reduction of parking spaces on campus.

“A UBC Line will contribute significantly to better serving those who currently use transit to study, work or visit UBC,” says Stephen Owen, UBC Vice President of External, Legal and Community Relations. “It will also serve a key role in the university’s sustainability efforts by encouraging ‘new’ users to leave their cars at home.”

UBC was recently recognized as the most sustainable campus in Canada – and third overall in North America – in the College Sustainability Report Card published by the U.S. Sustainable Endowments Institute.

Owen adds that the UBC Line will be a natural complement to the university’s current plans for a new central bus terminal under the new University Square, planned for construction in 2010.

In addition to the UBC Line study, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon also announced today a study for rapid transit expansion in Surrey. Both of these lines were included in the $14-billion Provincial Transit Plan. The studies are intended to assess the technology and routing for the two extensions and whether they are eligible for federal infrastructure funding. The extensions are expected to be completed in 2020.